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Jeff Beck, Bill Wyman, Mick Taylor and More Join The Rolling Stones in London

Photo via The Rolling Stones’ homepage

The Rolling Stones officially kicked off their 50th anniversary tour at London’s O2 Arena earlier this evening. Besides three warm-up club dates in Paris, today’s celebration was the first Rolling Stones performance since they appeared at the O2 Arena in 2007. In addition to core Stones members Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Woods, the current Stones lineup features bassist Daryl Jones, keyboardist/musical director Chuck Leavell, longtime Rolling Stones saxophonist Bobby Keys, horn player Tim Ries and vocalists Bernard Fowler and Lisa Fischer. Before the Stones took the stage, celebrity fans like Elton John, Johnny Depp, Iggy Pop and others discussed their love of the Stones’ via video messages.

Judging by their warm-up shows and a leaked rehearsal song list, The Rolling Stones plan to bust out several long-lost numbers during their anniversary dates. They opened today’s gig with “I Wanna Be Your Man,” a 1963 Rolling Stones single written by The Beatles’ John Lennon and Paul McCartney. By some accounts, the Stones have not played the song live since 1964. Later on, they dusted off the “Mother’s Little Helper” b-side “Lady Jane” for the first time since 1967. The Rolling Stones touched upon their later days too, including the 1997 Bridges to Babylon cut “Out of Control,” and this years two new GRRR! tracks “One More Shot” and “Doom and Gloom.”

A few guests sat in with The Rolling Stones during the night. Previously confirmed guest Jeff Beck helped the band through their first-ever live version of the ‘70s song “I’m Going Down” and R& B star Mary J. Blige sang on “Gimme Shelter.” Two former Stones also took the stage during the night: Classic Stones bassist Bill Wyman, who left the band in 1992, reunited with the band for “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)” and “Honky Tonk Women” and Mick Taylor, who played lead guitar with the group from 1969–74, appeared on the Let It Bleed number “Midnight Rambler.” Both musicians have recorded with the Stones in recent years: Taylor overdubbed some parts for an Exile on Main St. reissue and Wyman recorded with his former bandmates as part of a tribute to founding piano player Ian Stewart. Richard also took a turn on lead vocals for two songs, “Before They Make Me Run” and “Happy.”

Never ones to shy away from spectacle, the Stones played in front of a huge backdrop based around their lip logo. Their expansive stage also stretched into the crowd. Yet, their production was relatively stripped down compared to their recent world tours.

The Stones kicked off their encore by inviting the London Youth Choir onstage for “You Can’t Always Get What You Want.” The night came to a close with “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.” To the surprise of many, the band didn’t play their best known song “Satisfaction.” Reports indicate that they were planning to close the show with “Satisfaction” but ultimately cut the song due to time restraints. The band will return to the O2 on November 29.

Here’s a look at the show’s rundown via Setlist.fm

Sunday, November 25, O2 Arena, London, UK

I Wanna Be Your Man (First time played since 1964)
Get Off of My Cloud
It’s All Over Now (The Valentinos cover)
Paint It Black
Gimme Shelter (with Mary J. Blige)
Wild Horses
Lady Jane (First time played live since 1967)
All Down the Line
I’m Going Down (with Jeff Beck, live debut)
Out of Control
One More Shot
Doom and Gloom
It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It) (with Bill Wyman)
Honky Tonk Women (with Bill Wyman, Grrregory and band intros)
Before They Make Me Run (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Happy (Keith Richards on lead vocals)
Midnight Rambler (with Mick Taylor)
Miss You
Start Me Up
Tumbling Dice
Brown Sugar
Sympathy for the Devil

E:
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (With full choir for the first time ever)
Jumpin’ Jack Flash

Comments

There are 6 comments associated with this post

David Haddad November 25, 2012, 21:38:45

The show was great but Mick Taylor and Bill Wyman should have played throughout the whoe show rather thab 1 song each. The band sounds fantastic with 3 guitars going, very powerful. Mick Taylor should re-join the band

double down November 26, 2012, 15:31:26

agreed that they should have mick taylor out for the ENTIRE show, he is more talented than Keith and Ronnie COMBINED. and if he is just going to be relegated to playing on a few cuts, one of those MUST be sway. He can absolutely destroy that song. Ronnie/Keith on rhythm with mick handling all lead work would make these guys scary relevant again.

double down November 26, 2012, 15:31:46

agreed that they should have mick taylor out for the ENTIRE show, he is more talented than Keith and Ronnie COMBINED. and if he is just going to be relegated to playing on a few cuts, one of those MUST be sway. He can absolutely destroy that song. Ronnie/Keith on rhythm with mick handling all lead work would make these guys scary relevant again.

double down November 26, 2012, 15:33:46

sorry for multiple post, should have read instructions more thoroughly

PM November 26, 2012, 17:40:27

The idea that Mick Taylor is more talented than Keith is sheer stupidity,’ doulble down’ must be a republican.

Ronnie Wood November 27, 2012, 10:26:27

Keith is the best worst guitarist ever!

Els ton Gunn December 3, 2012, 19:49:15

Their best music was with Mick Taylor . Ronnie has gotten lazy, listen to him with the Faces .